Last Friday, during a substitute teaching gig, I was recruited to do a yearbook photo shoot with the seniors at the football field as the field sees its final days.

Blended image by Joyce Meyer

Typical for South Dakota, it was windy which allowed me to catch a nice breezy flag shot just before the sixth grade took the flag down, ceremoniously folding it following proper flag etiquette.

All of this leads up to the featured blended image. Flag waving in front of the school, seniors enjoying a warm, autumn afternoon and a football field that will never feel cleats digging into the turf or hear the roar of the crowds again.

Witnessing the end of something or someone near and dear is always difficult and the demise of the Grant-Deuel High School football field is no different. It’s the end of an era with no possibility of future high school football memories to be made…

It’s not that I’m such a die hard football fan, but I am a fan of community pride. Volunteers from the community and school would show up in droves to work the games in various capacities and, of course, pump up school spirit as cheerleaders and pep band members. Fans would start parking vehicles early in the morning or even the night before a home game just to get their favorite spot. The community would hum with chatter the next day after an exciting game with their own strategy analysis.

High school football was a catalyst for teaching the importance of hard work, perseverance, tolerance and teamwork. You win together, you lose together, and the big one… life isn’t always fair.

So, here’s to the final farewell of Friday night lights and the Grant-Deuel Wildcat football field.

Wedding preparations consume the couple as the day approaches and “BOOM” it’s over…
Emotions run high and the day you waited for so-o-o-o long now seems like a blur. Relax, sit back and enjoy the world with the love of your life… and your memories.

Remember, true love stands by each others side on the good days, and stands even closer on the bad days.